Rather than cruising along the Thames volunteers from the River Thames Boat Project and the Thames Venturer charitable boat took part in a bucket collection in Kingston.

On December 4 the volunteer crew swapped their usual nautical uniform for Santa-themed attire.

They managed to raise £227 as a participant of the Rotary Club of Kingston Christmas Appeal 2016.

The collection will help to fund the operation of the Thames Venturer, a magnificent wheelchair friendly Dutch barge, moored permanently at Kingston, which hosts bespoke cruises for groups of people with different interests and needs.

The boat will also be used as a ‘School on the River’ for environmental education activities.